Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method performed by one or more processors, comprising: identifying a change to an attribute associated with a media file in a first media file library located on a host system; accessing, in response to the identified change, a client device list, the client device list comprising a plurality of device IDs; identifying, in the client device list, a first device ID for a first client device upon which the identified change should be effected; retrieving a first synchronization order file specific to the identified first client device and stored on a server system; modifying the first synchronization order file to indicate the identified change to the attribute associated with the media file; and providing the modified first synchronization order file to the server system to enable the first client device to access the first synchronization order file and apply the indicated change to the attribute associated with the media file within a second media file library located on the first client device, wherein the acts of identifying the change, accessing the client device list, identifying the first device ID, and retrieving the first synchronization order file are performed without direct communication to the first client device and wherein the indicated change to the attribute associated with the media file is applied within the second media file library without direct communication between the first client device and the host system.
A system updates a media file attribute (e.g., metadata) across multiple devices without direct device-to-device communication. When an attribute of a media file in a library on a host system changes, the system accesses a list of device IDs linked to that library. It identifies a target device from the list and retrieves a synchronization order file specific to that device from a server. The system then modifies this file to reflect the attribute change and sends the updated file back to the server. The target device retrieves the updated synchronization order file from the server and applies the change to its local media library. All actions on the host, like device list access and file retrieval, happen without talking to the target device directly. The change on the client also happens without direct communication with the host.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein accessing the device list includes retrieving the device list from the server system.
The method of updating a media file attribute (e.g., metadata) across multiple devices without direct device-to-device communication, includes retrieving the client device list from the server. This means, when an attribute of a media file in a library on a host system changes, the system fetches the list of devices from the server before proceeding with identifying a target device and updating its synchronization order file.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein accessing the device list further includes transmitting a lock order to the server system to lock the device list for editing.
The method of retrieving the client device list from the server to update a media file attribute, also includes locking the device list on the server before editing it. This prevents other processes from modifying the list while it's being used. The system sends a "lock order" to the server before retrieving and modifying the device list and prior to identifying the target device for updating its synchronization order file.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein retrieving the first synchronization order file includes transmitting a lock order to the server system to lock the first synchronization order file.
The method of updating a media file attribute across multiple devices by using synchronization order files, includes locking the synchronization order file on the server before modifying it. This prevents conflicts if multiple systems try to update the same file simultaneously. The system sends a "lock order" to the server before retrieving and changing the specific client device's synchronization order file.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein providing the modified first synchronization order file to the server system includes transmitting a lock release order to the server system to unlock the first synchronization order file.
The method of locking the synchronization order file before modification for updating media file attributes, also includes releasing the lock after the changes are sent to the server. After providing the updated synchronization order file to the server, the system sends a "lock release order", allowing other processes to access and modify the synchronization order file.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: transmitting a notification to the first client device notifying the first client device to access the first synchronization order file.
The method of updating media file attributes using synchronization order files, includes sending a notification to the client device to inform it that a new synchronization order file is available. This prompts the client device to retrieve the file from the server and update its local media library, after the host system has modified and uploaded the updated synch file.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving an indication of the first synchronization order file having been received by the first client device; and removing the indication of the change to the attribute associated with the media file from the first synchronization order file responsive to receiving the indication of the first synchronization order file having been received.
The method of updating media file attributes through synchronization order files, includes receiving confirmation that the client device has received its updated synchronization order file. Upon receiving this confirmation, the system removes the indication of the attribute change from the synchronization order file, presumably to prevent the change from being applied repeatedly or tracked indefinitely.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: prior to providing the modified first synchronization order file, identifying a change to an attribute associated with a second media file; and updating the first synchronization order file to include an indication of the change to the attribute associated with the second media file.
The method of updating media file attributes using synchronization order files, includes batching changes. Before sending the modified synchronization order file, the system can add other attribute changes to it. If another media file's attribute changes, the system updates the same synchronization order file to include this change before providing the file to the server.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: accessing a second synchronization order file stored on the server system, that is specific to the host system, where the second synchronization order file includes an indication of a change to an attribute associated with a second media file, where the second media file is associated with both the first and second media file libraries; and applying the indicated change to the attribute associated with the second media file within the first media file library.
The method of updating media file attributes also handles changes originating from client devices. The host system accesses a synchronization order file (separate from the client's synch file) specific to itself, stored on the server. This file contains changes made by client devices that affect the host's media library. The host system applies these changes to its local library, keeping it in sync with client devices. The second media file is present on both the host system and the client system.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein accessing the second synchronization order file includes transmitting a lock order to the server system to lock the second synchronization order file.
The method of accessing the host system's synchronization order file to apply changes made by client devices, also includes locking this file before accessing it. This prevents conflicts if multiple systems try to update the same file simultaneously. The system sends a lock order before retrieving and applying changes from the host system's synchronization order file, ensuring exclusive access.
11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising: modifying the second synchronization order file to remove the indication of the change to the attribute associated with the second media file from the second synchronization order file; and providing the modified second synchronization order file to the server system.
The method of applying changes from client devices on the host system by using a synchronization order file, also includes removing the change from the host's synchronization order file after the host system applies it. After applying the changes to its local library, the system updates the synchronization order file on the server and removes the applied change, and provides the updated host synch file to the server.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the indication of the change to the attribute associated with the second media file is added to the second synchronization order file by the first client device.
The method of keeping media libraries in sync using synchronization order files, includes client devices adding changes directly to the host system's synchronization order file. A client device modifies the host system's synchronization order file to indicate a change to a media file present in both the client's and host's libraries.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the second synchronization order file includes indications of changes to attributes associated with media files that have been added to the second synchronization order file by at least two devices, the two devices being different from the host system.
The method of keeping media libraries in sync includes multiple client devices adding changes to the host system's synchronization order file. This means the host's synch file could contain changes from multiple devices other than the host.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the change to the attribute constitutes a change to metadata associated with the media file.
The method of updating media files across devices using synchronization order files, specifies that the change to the attribute is a change to the metadata associated with the media file. Examples of metadata attributes include title, artist, album, genre, or rating.
15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: retrieving a synchronization order file for each device indicated by the device list as being a device upon which the identified change should be effected; modifying each of the retrieved synchronization order files to indicate the change to the attribute associated with the media file; and providing the modified synchronization order files to the server system to enable the respective associated devices to access their respective modified synchronization order files and apply the indicated change to the attribute associated with the media file within a media file library located on each device.
The method of updating media file attributes includes updating all devices. The system retrieves synchronization order files for all devices on the device list, modifies each to include the change and provides the updated files to the server for each device.
16. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining that a value associated with the first synchronization order file exceeds a predetermined threshold; and in response to the determining, generating a download order that is specific to the first client device, where the download order indicates that one or more media files are to be downloaded by the first client device.
The method of updating media file attributes using synch files, includes using a separate download order if the synch file grows too large. If a synchronization order file exceeds a size or complexity threshold, the system generates a download order, specific to the client device. This order instructs the client device to download one or more entire media files instead of just applying attribute changes.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein determining that a value associated with the first synchronization order file exceeds a predetermined threshold includes determining that a number of changes to attributes associated with media files included in the first synchronization order file exceeds a predetermined threshold.
The method of using a separate download order when synch files are too large, specifies that the threshold is based on the number of changes to media file attributes in the synchronization order file. The system determines that the synch file is too large by counting the number of individual attribute changes it contains.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein determining that a value associated with the first synchronization order file exceeds a predetermined threshold includes determining that an amount of memory storage space required to store the first synchronization order file exceeds a predetermined threshold.
The method of using a separate download order when synch files are too large, specifies that the threshold is based on the storage space required for the synch file. The system checks the memory space occupied by the synchronization order file against a predetermined limit.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first synchronization order file includes one or more additional indications of changes to attributes associated with one or more media files where the one or more additional indications of changes to attributes associated with the one or more media files were added to the first synchronization order file by a plurality of devices other than the host system.
The method of updating media file attributes includes the scenario where a client's synch file can contain attribute changes added by multiple devices other than the host, ensuring that all devices' changes are eventually synced.
20. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining that an indication of a receipt of the first synchronization order file by the server system has not been received within a predetermined time-out period; and re-transmitting the first synchronization order file to the server system responsive to the determining.
The method of updating media files includes a retry mechanism if the server does not acknowledge receipt of a client's updated synch file within a timeout. If the host system does not receive confirmation within a defined period, the system re-transmits the synch file to the server.
21. A method performed by one or more processors, comprising: identifying a change to an attribute associated with a media file in a first media file library located on a host computer system; accessing, in response to the identified change, a device list, the device list comprising a plurality of device IDs; identifying, in the device list, a first device ID for a first device upon which the identified change should be effected; modifying a first synchronization order file that is specific to the first device to indicate the change to the attribute associated with the media file; detecting that the first device is within a predefined communications proximity relative to the host computer system; establishing wireless communications with the first device; and transmitting, in response to detecting that the first device is within the predefined communications proximity, the first synchronization order file to the first device to enable the first device to apply the indicated change to the attribute associated with the media file within a second media file library located on the first device, wherein the acts of identifying the change, accessing the device list, identifying the first device ID, and modifying the first synchronization order file are performed without direct communication to the first device.
A system updates media file attributes via direct wireless communication when a client device is nearby. When an attribute changes, the system finds the device ID in a client list. Instead of using a server, the system detects when the device is in range, establishes a wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), and directly sends the modified synchronization order file to the device. The device then updates its local library. All the initial steps happen without direct communication.
22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising: receiving security information from the first device; and using the received security information to determine that the first device is permitted to receive synchronization order files associated with the first media file library.
The method of updating media file attributes via direct wireless, includes security by requesting and verifying security information from the nearby device before transmission of a synchronization order file, confirming that the device is authorized to receive synchronization data.
23. The method of claim 21 , further comprising: receiving a modified first synchronization order file from the first device, where the indication of the change to the attribute associated with the media file has been removed from the modified first synchronization order file; and storing the modified first synchronization order file in a memory of the host computer system.
The method of updating media file attributes via direct wireless, includes receiving a modified synch file back from the device. The host receives the synch file back from the client which now reflects that the changes were applied (and are thus removed from the synch file). The host stores this modified file.
24. The method of claim 21 , further comprising: prior to transmitting the first synchronization order file, receiving an access request from a second device; and allowing the second device to modify the first synchronization order file in response to the received access request, where the second device modifies the first synchronization order file to indicate a change to an attribute associated with a second media file.
The method of updating media file attributes via direct wireless, allows other devices to modify a synchronization order file before transmitting it to its intended recipient. If a second device requests access, the host allows the second device to add changes related to a different media file to the synch file.
25. The method of claim 21 , further comprising: receiving an access request from the first device, where the access request indicates a second synchronization order file; allowing the first device to modify the second synchronization order file to indicate a change to an attribute associated with a second media file in response to the received access request, where the second media file is associated with both the first and second media file libraries; accessing the second synchronization order file to identify the indication of the change to the attribute associated with the second media file; and applying the indicated change to the second media file within the first media file library.
The method of updating media file attributes allows the nearby device to modify the second synchronization order file, so that the host device can update its media library, too. This facilitates bidirectional synchronization between the host system and a nearby device, enabling attribute changes from the device to be reflected on the host.
26. The method of claim 21 , further comprising: accessing a synchronization order file for each device indicated by the device list as being a device upon which the identified change should be effected; modifying each of the accessed synchronization order files to indicate the change to the attribute associated with the media file; and transmitting the modified synchronization order files to each of the respective associated devices that is within the predefined communications proximity to enable each device to apply the indicated change to the attribute associated with the media file within a media file library located on each device.
The method of updating media file attributes via direct wireless, can update multiple nearby devices. The system accesses synch files for each device in the list. If a device is nearby, it is updated directly via wireless transmission of the synch file.
27. The method of claim 21 , further comprising: determining that a value associated with the first synchronization order file exceeds a predetermined threshold; in response to the determining, generating a download order that is specific to the first device, where the download order indicates that one or more media files are to be downloaded by the first device; and transmitting the download order to the first device.
The method of updating media file attributes using direct wireless transfer, also includes generating and transferring a download order if the synchronization order file is too large. If a synchronization order file exceeds a threshold, instead of sending the file, the system creates and sends a download order instructing the device to download the media file instead.
28. The method of claim 27 , wherein determining that a value associated with the first synchronization order file exceeds a predetermined threshold includes determining that a number of changes to attributes associated with media files included in the first synchronization order file exceeds a predetermined threshold.
The method of using a separate download order when synch files are too large via direct wireless transfer, specifies that the threshold is based on the number of changes. The system determines that the synch file is too large by counting the number of individual attribute changes it contains.
29. The method of claim 27 , wherein determining that a value associated with the first synchronization order file exceeds a predetermined threshold includes determining that an amount of memory storage space required to store the first synchronization order file exceeds a predetermined threshold.
The method of using a separate download order when synch files are too large via direct wireless transfer, specifies that the threshold is based on the size. The system checks the amount of memory space required to store the synchronization order file.
30. A system configured to facilitate synchronization of media files among two or more devices, the system comprising: an intermediate server configured to host one or more synchronization order files that facilitate synchronization of a host media library with at least one other media library; one or more client devices each configured to maintain a client media library and to communicate with the intermediate server; and a host device that hosts the host media library and that is configured to execute processes to perform the following: detect that information associated with one or more media files within the host media library has changed; access, in response to the detected change, a client device list, the client device list comprising a plurality of device IDs; identify, in the device list, a first device ID for a first client device of the one or more client devices upon which the identified change should be effected; communicate with the intermediate server to temporarily prevent a first synchronization order file of the one or more synchronization order files from being altered by entities other than the host device, wherein the first synchronization order file is specific to the first client device; modify the first synchronization order file to reflect the detected changed information; and transmit the modified first synchronization order file to the intermediate server to allow the first synchronization order file to be accessed by the first client device, wherein the acts of detecting the change, accessing the client device list, identifying the first device ID, and modifying the first synchronization order file are performed without direct communication to the first device.
A system for synchronizing media files consists of a host device, client devices, and a server. The host detects changes to media file attributes in its library. It then accesses a device list, identifies a client device, and temporarily locks that client's synchronization order file on the server. The host modifies the synch file to reflect the attribute change and sends the file to the server. This allows the identified client device to retrieve and apply the update. The host interacts with the device list and synch file on the server, but does not directly communicate with the client during these steps.
31. A non-transitory program storage device comprising machine readable instructions that when executed cause one or more machines to: identify a change to an attribute associated with a media file in a first media file library located on a host system; access, in response to the identified change, a client device list to identify one or more device IDs for client devices upon which the identified change should be effected; identify, in the client device list, a first device ID for a first client device upon which the identified change should be effected retrieve a first synchronization order file specific to the first client device from a server system using the first device ID; modify the first synchronization order file to indicate the change to the attribute associated with the media file; and provide the modified first synchronization order file to the server system to enable the first client device to access the first synchronization order file and apply the indicated change to the attribute associated with the media file within a second media file library located on the first client device, wherein the acts of detecting the change, accessing the client device list, identifying the first device ID, and modifying the first synchronization order file are performed without direct communication to the first device.
A software program facilitates media file synchronization. It detects changes to media file attributes in a host library. Responding to a detected change, the program accesses a client device list to identify target devices. It retrieves a synch file specific to each device from a server, modifies it, and provides the updated file to the server. The client device can then access its synch file from the server and apply the indicated changes to its local library. Key steps of the process - detecting the change, accessing the device list, and modifying the synch file - are performed without direct communication with the client device.
Unknown
September 2, 2014
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